Edinburgh Monarchs Academy move a step closer to National Development League glory
The Edinburgh Monarchs Academy increased their lead at the top of the National Development League with a 51-39 victory over the Oxford Chargers.
The result keeps the Scottish club’s youngsters nicely placed at the top of the standings with just four meetings remaining, although reigning champions - and title rivals - the Leicester Lion Cubs do have matches in hand. Both sides are still to race each other home and away with the Lion Cubs next up at Armadale in next Friday's double header. The Buxton Bulls also visit West Lothian the same evening.
The Academy remain the only undefeated team in British speedway following an exceptional 2026 so far.
Team manager Scott Wilson admitted their latest win was, at times, a bit too close for comfort, but was thrilled to secure the points all the same.
"It wasn't ideal," he said afterwards. "We had a 12-point lead going into the final heat which was good, but we threw a lot of points away. It was a tough night with a lot of mechanical problems that we had to battle with but we should have been more comfortable than we were. But, ultimately, if you have some bad luck and still win then you can't grumble too much."
Oxford did keep their hosts honest with only two points separating the sides at the midway point, but back-to-back 5-1s in heats nine and ten saw the Academy stretch their lead and stamp home their authority.
Ben Whalley produced the ride of the night when he fought tooth and nail to pass Ashton Vale on the home straight at the end of the third lap to join team-mate Jordy Loftus for the home side's third maximum of another triumphant evening.